Intravenous catheter assembly with safety clip

ABSTRACT

A catheter assembly may include a catheter, catheter adapter, needle, needle guard, and housing. The housing may be coupled to the needle guard and disposed within a lumen of the catheter adapter. The needle guard may include first and second resilient arms, which may include first and second curved portions, respectively. When the needle is in a ready position, the first and second curved portions may be urged by a shaft of the needle into retaining contact with an inner wall of the catheter adapter. When the needle is in the retracted position, the shaft may no longer bias the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released, and the housing and the needle guard enclose a distal tip of the needle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/481,166, filed Apr. 6, 2017, and entitled INTRAVENOUS CATHETERASSEMBLY WITH SAFETY CLIP, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (IV) catheter assemblies are among the various types ofvascular access devices. Over-the-needle peripheral IV catheters are acommon IV catheter configuration. As its name implies, anover-the-needle catheter may be mounted over an introducer needle havinga sharp distal tip. The needle may be a hypodermic needle coupled to aneedle assembly to help guide the needle and to facilitate itscooperation with the catheter. At least the inner surface of the distalportion of the catheter tightly may engage an outer surface of theneedle to prevent peel back of the catheter and, thereby, facilitateinsertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. The catheter and theneedle may be assembled so that the distal tip of the needle extendsbeyond the distal tip of the catheter. Moreover, the catheter and theneedle may be assembled so that, during insertion, the bevel of theneedle faces up, away from skin of a patient. The catheter and needlemay be inserted at a shallow angle through the skin into a blood vessel.

In order to verify proper placement of the needle and/or catheter in theblood vessel, the user may confirm that there is “flashback” of bloodinto a flashback chamber associated with the needle assembly. Flashbackgenerally entails the appearance of a small amount of blood, which isvisible within the needle assembly or between the needle and thecatheter. Once proper placement of the distal tip of the catheter intothe blood vessel is confirmed, the user may apply pressure to the bloodvessel by pressing down on the skin over the blood vessel, distal to theneedle and the catheter. This finger pressure may momentarily occludethe vessel, reducing further blood flow through the needle and thecatheter.

The user may then withdraw the needle from the catheter, and in someinstances, the needle assembly may be separated from catheter portionsof the catheter assembly. The separation of the needle assembly fromcatheter portions of the catheter assembly presents numerous potentialhazards to the users and others in the area. There may be a risk ofaccidental needle sticks if the distal tip is not secured properly.Additionally, because the needle has been in contact with blood invasculature of the patient, blood may be present on an exterior of theneedle as well as inside a lumen of the needle. As the needle iswithdrawn from the catheter, there is a risk that the blood will dripfrom the distal tip or come into contact with other surfaces to exposepeople and equipment to blood.

Additionally, it has been observed that withdrawing the needle from acatheter assembly may impart energy to parts of the needle assembly. Forinstance, during withdrawal of the introducer, bending forces can beapplied (either unintentionally or intentionally) to the needle. Thebending forces on the needle may cause blood to splatter or spray fromthe needle when the needle vibrates and shakes as it becomes free fromthe catheter assembly and releases stored energy. Accordingly, there isa need in the art for devices, systems, and methods that providecatheter assemblies with increased needle safety.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to an IV catheter assembly andassociated devices, systems, and methods. In some embodiments, thecatheter assembly may be used for infusion and/or blood collection. Insome embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a catheter, whichmay include a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, thecatheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include aninner wall forming a lumen. In some embodiments, the proximal end of thecatheter may be coupled with the catheter adapter.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a needle, whichmay include one or more of the following: an elongated shaft, a sharpdistal tip, and a notch. In some embodiments, the notch may improvefirst stick success and allow observation of blood flashback. In someembodiments, the needle may be disposed within the catheter when theneedle is in a ready position. In some embodiments, the needle may bemovable between the ready position in which the distal tip is outside ofthe catheter adapter and a retracted position in which the distal tip isdisposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a needle guard,which may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, theneedle guard may include a proximal end wall. In some embodiments, theproximal end wall may include an opening for receiving the needle therethrough. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include one ormore resilient portions, which may be coupled with the proximal endwall. In some embodiments, each of the resilient portions may be urgedby the elongated shaft into retaining contact with the inner wall of thecatheter adapter when the needle is in the ready position and/or duringmovement of the needle between the ready position and the retractedposition.

In some embodiments, when the needle is in the retracted position, theelongated shaft may no longer bias each of the resilient portionsoutwardly such that the retaining contact between each of the resilientportions and the catheter adapter are released. In these embodiments,the housing and the needle guard may be removable from the catheteradapter when the needle is in the retracted position. In someembodiments, the inner wall of the catheter adapter may include one ormore retaining means, such as, for example, a groove. In someembodiments, a particular retaining means may receive a particularresilient portion when the needle is in the ready position and theparticular resilient portion and the catheter adapter are in retainingcontact. For example, the particular retaining means may receive acurved portion of the particular resilient portion when the needle is inthe ready position and the particular resilient portion and the catheteradapter are in retaining contact.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include one or moredistal walls, which may each extend from the resilient portions. In someembodiments, each of the distal walls may include a lip, which mayengage the elongated shaft of the needle when the needle is in the readyposition. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls may be movablewithin the lumen of the catheter hub to blocking positions distal of thedistal tip. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls may be intheir respective blocking positions when the needle is in the retractedposition. In some embodiments, the distal walls may contact and/oroverlap one another and form a distal barrier to the needle when thedistal walls are in their respective blocking positions.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a housing, whichmay be coupled to the needle guard and/or disposed within the lumen ofthe catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the housing and the needleguard may enclose the distal tip and/or the notch when the needle is inthe retracted position. In some embodiments, the housing may includemultiple shield elements, which may be spaced apart. For example, thehousing may include a first shield element and a second shield elementopposite the first shield element. In some embodiments, the first andsecond shield elements may be spaced apart by a gap. In someembodiments, one or more particular resilient portions may be urgedoutwardly by the elongated shaft through the gap when the needle is inthe ready position.

In some embodiments, the housing may include one or more snap featuresconfigured to secure the needle guard within the housing when the needleis in the retracted position. In some embodiments, an inner surfaceand/or an inner edge of the first shield element may include one or moresnap features. Additionally, in some embodiments, the inner surfaceand/or an inner edge of the second shield element may include one ormore snap features. In some embodiments, the snap features may contactan outer surface of a particular resilient portion of the needle guardwhen the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, thefirst snap feature may extend more inwardly than the second snap featuresuch that the particular resilient portion passes the second snapfeature before the first snap feature when the needle moves from theready position to the retracted position.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the housing may include one ormore distal features and/or one or more proximal features. In someembodiments, each of the distal features may be configured to contact aproximal surface of a particular distal wall of the needle guard toprevent the needle guard from sliding proximally with respect to thehousing. In some embodiments, each of the proximal features may beconfigured to contact a distal surface of the proximal end wall toprevent the needle guard from sliding distally with respect to thehousing. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the housing mayinclude or correspond to an inner surface of one or more particularshield elements.

In some embodiments, the resilient portions may include elongatedresilient arms. In particular, in some embodiments, the resilientportions may include a first and second resilient arm. In someembodiments, the first and second resilient arms may include first andsecond curved portions, respectively. In some embodiments, the first andsecond curved portions may be urged by the elongated shaft intoretaining contact with the inner wall of the catheter adapter when theneedle is in the ready position and/or during movement of the needlebetween the ready position and the retracted position. In someembodiments, when the needle is in the retracted position, the elongatedshaft may no longer exert a force on the first and second resilient armssuch that the retaining contact between the first and second curvedportions and the catheter adapter is released. In some embodiments, theneedle guard may include first and second distal walls, which maycontact and/or overlap one another and form a distal barrier to theneedle when the needle is in the retracted position. In someembodiments, the first and second resilient arms may extend between thefirst and second distal walls, respectively, and the proximal end wall.

In some embodiments, when the needle is in the ready position, the firstresilient arm may be entirely disposed on a first side of the needle andthe second resilient arm may be entirely disposed on a second side ofthe needle opposite the first side of the needle. In some embodiments,the first distal wall and the second distal wall may include first andsecond lips, respectively, which may engage the elongated shaft of theneedle when the needle is in the ready position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the present disclosure will be readily understood, amore particular description of the cannula capture mechanism brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthereof, which are illustrated in the appended Figures. Understandingthat these Figures depict only typical embodiments and are not,therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view of a prior art needle assembly;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged upper perspective view of a portion of the needleassembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an example catheter assembly,illustrating an example needle in a ready position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A,illustrating the needle between the ready position and a retractedposition, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A,illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A,illustrating the needle between the ready position and a retractedposition, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an example needle assembly of thecatheter assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the needle in the readyposition, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A,illustrating the needle in a retracted position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 4A is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A,illustrating the needle between the ready position and the retractedposition, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4B is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A,illustrating the needle in a retracted position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 5A is a top view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustratingthe needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustratingthe needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5C is a distal view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustratingthe needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of another example needle assembly,illustrating the needle in a partially retracted position, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A,illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 6C is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A,illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 6D is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A,illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A,illustrating an example stabilizer element, according to someembodiments; and

FIG. 6F is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A,illustrating an example platform, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood by reference toFIGS. 1-6, wherein like parts are designated by like numeralsthroughout. It will be readily understood that the components of thepresent disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6in the present disclosure, could be arranged and designed in a widevariety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detaileddescription of the embodiments of the catheter assembly, and associateddevices, systems, and methods, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of some embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a needle assembly 10 commonly used in the medicalfield. The needle assembly 10 may include a needle hub 12, a needle 14extending distally from the needle hub, and a spring clip 16. The springclip 16 is enlarged in FIG. 1B. The needle assembly 10 may be part of anIV catheter assembly (not illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B) and may provideseveral functions. For example, when a needle 14 of the needle assembly10 is in a ready position for insertion into a vein of a patient,flexible arms of the spring clip 16 may be urged outward and mayinterfere with a retention feature on an inner surface of a catheteradapter of the IV catheter assembly, holding the spring clip 16 in placeuntil the needle 14 is withdrawn. In response to placement of an IVcatheter of the catheter assembly into the vein of the patient, theneedle may be retracted or withdrawn proximally. When the needle 14 iswithdrawn proximally beyond a distal end of the spring clip 16, theflexible arms may move inwardly, which may first release theinterference between the spring clip 16 and the retention feature of thecatheter adapter, and then provide a distal barrier for the needle 14,preventing a needle stick injury. Release of the interference betweenthe spring clip 16 and the retention feature may allow removal of theneedle assembly 10 from the catheter adapter.

The needle assembly 10 and spring clip 16 may pose several hazards. Thespring clip 16 may be constructed of metal and/or may include one ormore sharp edges, which may increase a risk that the patient or aclinician may be cut or scratched by the spring clip 16, particularlywhen the needle assembly 10 is removed from the catheter adapter. Insome instances, the sharp edges of the spring clip 16 may be exposed toblood of the patient, and if the clinician contacts the sharp edges,this could lead to infection by one or more blood borne pathogens. Also,the sharp edges of the spring clip 16 may get caught on clothing,bedding, or another material, which may cause the clip to open, allowinga sharp distal tip of the needle to become exposed. Furthermore, aninterior lumen of the needle 14 and/or a notch of the needle 14 may befilled with blood, and the blood may spatter or be ejected from theneedle 14 when the needle assembly 10 is removed from the catheteradapter.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, a catheter assembly 20 may overcomedisadvantages of the prior art, as will be explained later in furtherdetail. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 20 may include acatheter 24, which may include a proximal end and a distal end. In someembodiments, the catheter assembly 20 may include a catheter adapter 26,which may include an inner wall 28 forming a lumen 30. In someembodiments, the proximal end of the catheter 24 may be coupled with thecatheter adapter 26 via a wedge 32 or another mechanism. In someembodiments, a needle 22 of the catheter assembly 20 may include one ormore of the following: an elongated shaft 34, a sharp distal tip 36, anotch 38, and a bump or feature 54. In some embodiments, the notch 38may improve first stick success and allow observation of bloodflashback.

In some embodiments, the needle 22 may be disposed within the catheter24 when the needle 22 is in a ready position for insertion into the veinof the patient. The ready position is illustrated in FIG. 2A, accordingto some embodiments. In some embodiments, the needle 22 may be movablebetween the ready position in which the distal tip 36 is outside of thecatheter adapter 26 and a retracted position in which the distal tip 36is disposed within the lumen 30 of the catheter adapter 26. FIG. 2Billustrates the needle 22 partially withdrawn and between the readyposition and the retracted position, according to some embodiments. Theretracted position is illustrated in FIG. 2C, according to someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 20 may include a needle guard33, which may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, theneedle guard 33 may include a spring clip. In some embodiments, theneedle guard 33 may be constructed of a resilient metal, such as, forexample, stainless steel. In some embodiments, the needle guard 33 mayinclude one or more resilient arms 40, which may include one or morefeatures for selective coupling of the arms 40 to the inner wall 28 ofthe catheter adapter 26 or to another component of a catheter device. Insome embodiments, the other component may include any suitable componentof the catheter device, including, for example, a septum activator, aseptum, or a septum canister.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some embodiments, the needle guard 33may include first and second resilient arms 40 a,b (which may bereferred to herein as “resilient arms 40”). In some embodiments, whenthe needle 22 is in the ready position, the first resilient arm 40 a maybe entirely disposed on a first side of the needle 22 and the secondresilient arm 40 b may be entirely disposed on a second side of theneedle 22 opposite the first side of the needle 22. In some embodiments,each of the arms 40 may include one or more curved portions 42 or one ormore other suitable features for selective coupling of the arms 40 tothe other component or to the inner wall 28, such as, for example, oneor more protrusions. In some embodiments, the curved portions 42 mayeach include a bend.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, in some embodiments, the curved portions42 or the other suitable features may be urged by the elongated shaft 34into retaining contact with the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26or with the other component when the needle 22 is in the ready positionand/or during movement of the needle 22 between the ready position andthe retracted position. In some embodiments, the inner wall 28 of thecatheter adapter 26 or the other component may include one or moreretaining means 44, such as, for example, grooves, bumps, features, oranother suitable means that may each receive or interfere with one ormore arms 40 in retaining contact. In further detail, in someembodiments, a particular retaining means 44 may receive or interferewith a curved portion 42 of a particular arm 40 and another particularretaining means 44 may receive or interfere with a curved portion 42 ofanother particular arm 40. In some embodiments, a particular retainingmeans 44 may receive or interfere with the curved portions of both theparticular arms 40. In some embodiments, the retaining means 44 may beannular.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, when the needle 22 is inthe retracted position, the elongated shaft 34 may no longer bias orflex the arms 40 outwardly such that the retaining contact between thecurved portions 42 and the catheter adapter 26 is released. In someembodiments, a needle assembly 43, which may include one or more of thefollowing: the needle guard 33, the needle 22, a needle hub 46, and ahousing 50, may be removed from the catheter adapter 26 in response tothe retaining contact between the curved portions 42 and the catheteradapter 26 being released. In some embodiments, the needle hub 46 mayinclude a flash chamber. FIG. 2D illustrates one or more retaining means44 that each include a bump or protrusion, according to someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the needle guard 33 may include one or more distalwalls 48, which may form a distal barrier to the needle 22 when theneedle 22 is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the distalwalls 48 may contact and/or overlap one another. For example, the needleguard 33 may include first and second distal walls 48 a,b that contactand overlap each other, as illustrated in FIG. 2C.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, in some embodiments, a particular distalwall 48 may extend from and be continuous with a particular arm 40,which may extend between the particular distal wall 48 and a proximalend wall 52 of the needle guard 33. In some embodiments, the proximalend wall 52 may include an opening for receiving the needle 22 therethrough. In some embodiments, the elongated shaft 34 of the needle 22may include a feature 54, which may have a diameter larger than adiameter of the opening in the proximal end wall 52, preventing thedistal tip 36 from exiting proximally through the opening in theproximal end wall 52.

In some embodiments, one or more of the distal walls 48 may include alip 56, which may engage the elongated shaft 34 of the needle 22 whenthe needle 22 is in the ready position, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. Insome embodiments, each of the distal walls 48 may be movable within thelumen 30 of the catheter adapter 26 to blocking positions distal of thedistal tip 36, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, each ofthe distal walls 48 may be in their respective blocking positions whenthe needle 22 is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, thedistal walls 48 may contact and/or overlap one another to form a distalbarrier to the needle 22 when the distal walls 48 are in theirrespective blocking positions.

In some embodiments, the housing 50 may cover any sharp edges of theneedle guard 33, preventing contact with the sharp edges. For example,when the needle 33 is in the retracted position, at least edges of thearms 40, the distal walls 48, and the proximal end wall 52 may bedisposed within an outer edge or perimeter of the housing 50. In someembodiments, the housing 50 and the needle guard 33 may together enclosethe distal tip 36 when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, whichmay prevent exposure to the distal tip 36 and any blood that may bereleased from the distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38. In someembodiments, the housing 50 may be unitary or integrally formed.

In some embodiments, an inner surface 62 of the housing 50 may includeone or more distal features 58 and/or one or more proximal features 60,which may prevent separation of the housing 50 from the needle guard 33.In some embodiments, each of the distal features 58 may be configured tocontact a proximal surface of a particular distal wall 48 of the needleguard 33 to prevent the needle guard 33 from sliding proximally withrespect to the housing 50. In some embodiments, each of the proximalfeatures 60 may be configured to contact a distal surface of theproximal end wall 52 to prevent the needle guard 33 from slidingdistally with respect to the housing 59.

In some embodiments, the distal features 58 and/or the proximal features60 may include protrusions, which may extend inwardly from the innersurface 62 of the housing 50. In some embodiments, the inner surface 62may include a tubular structure, which may include a wall 64 forming alumen 66 extending through the tubular structure. In some embodiments,the needle 33 may extend through the lumen 66 of the tubular structure.In some embodiments, the distal features 58 and/or the proximal features60 may extend from the wall 64 and/or be unitary or integrally formedwith the wall 64, which may be unitary or integrally formed with theinner surface 62. In some embodiments, the distal walls 48 may cover adistal opening 67 of the tubular structure such that the distal walls 48and the housing 50 enclose the distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38.

In some embodiments, an outer surface of the wall 64 may include anangled portion 66, which may correspond to an angled portion 68 of aparticular arm 40. In some embodiments, the angled portion 66 mayinhibit proximal movement of the needle guard 33 with respect to thehousing 50. In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include one or moresnap features 70 configured to secure the needle guard 33 within thehousing 50 when the needle 33 is in the retracted position. In someembodiments, the inner surfaces 62 and/or inner edges 63 of the shieldelements 72 may include the snap features 70. In some embodiments,opposing snap features 70 disposed on opposing shield elements 72 maycontact an outer surface of a particular arm 40 when the needle 33 is inthe retracted position.

In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include multiple elongatedshield elements 72, which may shield a user from one or more edges ofthe needle guard 33 that may otherwise scratch or cut the user.Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, for example, the housing may include afirst shield element 72 a and a second shield element 72 b (which mayreferred to in the present disclosure as “shield elements 72”), whichmay be disposed opposite of each other. In some embodiments, the shieldelements 72 may be spaced apart. In some embodiments, the shieldelements 72 may be spaced apart by a gap 61 between inner edges 63 ofthe shield elements 72. In some embodiments, the arms 40 may be urgedoutwardly by the elongated shaft 34 through the gap 61 when the needle33 is in the ready position and/or in between the ready position and theretracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. In some embodiments, oneor more of the following may extend between inner surfaces of the shieldelements 72: the distal features 58, the proximal features 60, and thetubular structure. In some embodiments, the inner surface 62 of thehousing 50 may correspond to an inner surface of one or more particularshield elements 72.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, in some embodiments, the first shieldelement 72 a may be connected to the second shield element 72 b at ajoiner wall 74, which may cover all or a portion of the proximal endwall 52. In some embodiments, the needle 33 may extend through a hole inthe joiner wall 74.

Referring now to FIG. 5C, in some embodiments, the arms 40 may snap pastthe snap features 70 in response to the needle 33 moving from the readyposition to the retracted position. In further detail, in someembodiments, the snap features 70 may be resilient and may easily deformto allow the arms 40 to pass, thereafter resuming their originalconformation.

The snap features 70 may have various locations and sizes thatfacilitate rocking or tilting of the resilient arms 40 and movement ofthe resilient arms 40 to a locked position beneath the snap features 70and towards a central axis of the housing 50 and/or the needle guard 33.In some embodiments, a first snap feature 70 a and a second snap feature70 b may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing 50. In someembodiments, the first snap feature 70 a may be aligned with or opposethe second snap feature 70 b, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. In someembodiments, the first snap feature 70 a and second snap feature 70 bmay be not be aligned with or oppose each other. In some embodiments,the first snap feature 70 a and the second snap feature 70 b may be asame or similar shape but different sizes. In these and otherembodiments, the first snap feature 70 a may extend more inwardly thanthe second snap feature 70 b, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, such that aparticular resilient arm 40 may pass the second snap feature 70 b beforethe first snap feature 70 a when the needle moves from the readyposition to the retracted position, which may result in rocking ortilting the particular resilient arm 40 and facilitating movement of theparticular resilient arm 40 to a locked position beneath the first snapfeature 70 a and second snap feature 70 b. In some embodiments, theparticular resilient arm 40 may contact the first snap feature 70 aprior to the second snap feature 70 b, which may also result in therocking or tilting of the particular resilient arm 40.

In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include one or more additionalsnap features 70. In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include thirdand fourth snap features 70 c, 70 d, which may be positioned and/orsized with respect to each other similarly to first snap feature 70 aand second snap feature 70 b.

Referring now to FIG. 6A-6B, in some embodiments, the needle assembly 43may include a housing 76 and/or a needle guard 78. In some embodiments,the needle guard 78 may be unitary or integrally formed. In someembodiments, the needle guard 78 may include a spring clip. In someembodiments, the needle guard 78 may be constructed of a resilientmetal, such as, for example, stainless steel.

In some embodiments, the needle guard 78 may include an upper arm 80 anda lower arm 82. In some embodiments, the lower arm 82 may include acurved portion 84 or one or more other suitable features, such as, forexample, one or more protrusions, for selective coupling of the lowerarm 82 to the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26 or to anothercomponent of a catheter device. In some embodiments, the other componentmay include any suitable component of the catheter device, including,for example, a septum activator, a septum, or a septum canister.

In some embodiments, the upper arm 80 may be coupled to the housing 76.In some embodiments, the upper arm 80 may be coupled to the housing 76along all or a portion of a length of the upper arm 80. In someembodiments, the upper arm 80 may be permanently coupled to the housing76.

In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the ready position orpartially retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the curvedportion 84 or the other suitable features may be urged by the needle 22into retaining contact with the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26or with the other component. In these and other embodiments, the curvedportion 84 may extend through a distal aperture 86 in the housing 76 ofthe needle assembly 43, the distal aperture 86 being aligned with theretaining means 44 of the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26. Theretaining means 44 may include a groove or aperture or another suitablemeans that may each receive or interfere with the lower arm 82 inretaining contact. In further detail, in some embodiments, a particularretaining means 44 may receive or interfere with the curved portion 84.

In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is retracted, the needle 22 mayno longer bias the lower arm 82 outwardly such that the retainingcontact between the lower arm 82 and the catheter adapter 26 is releasedand the lower arm 82 resiliently moves inwardly. In these embodiments,the housing 76 and the needle guard 78 may be removable from thecatheter adapter 26.

In some embodiments, the distal wall 48 may include a lip 56, which mayengage the needle 22 when the needle 22 is in the ready position and/orthe partially retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. In someembodiments, the lower arm 82 may include a distal wall 48, which mayform a distal barrier to the needle 22 when the needle 22 is in theretracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, thedistal wall 48 of the lower arm 82 may prevent the needle 22 fromexiting a distal opening 89 in the distal end of the housing 76, whenthe needle 22 is in the retracted position.

In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position,the distal wall 48 and/or the lip 56 may contact a shelf 90 of thehousing 76. In some embodiments, the shelf 90 may support the lower arm82 and/or separate at least a portion of the upper arm 80 from the lowerarm 82. In some embodiments, the shelf 90 may extend from a distal endand/or side of the housing 76.

In some embodiments, the proximal end of the housing 76 may include aproximal opening 88 for receiving the needle 22 and/or the needle guard78 there through. In some embodiments, the elongated shaft 34 of theneedle 22 may include a feature 54, which may prevent the distal tip 36from exiting proximally through a proximal opening in a proximal endwall 52 of the needle guard 78.

In some embodiments, the housing 76 may cover any sharp edges of theneedle guard 33, preventing contact with the sharp edges. For example,when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, at least edges of thelower arm 82, upper arm 80, the distal wall 48, and the proximal endwall 52 may be disposed within an outer edge or perimeter of the housing76. In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retractedposition, an entirety of the needle guard 78 may be disposed within theouter edge or perimeter of the housing 76. In some embodiments, thehousing 76 and the needle guard 78 may together enclose the distal tip36 when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, which may preventexposure to the distal tip 36 and any blood that may be released fromthe distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38. In some embodiments, the housing76 may be unitary or integrally formed.

Referring now to FIG. 6C, in some embodiments, the housing 76 may begenerally tubular. Referring now to FIG. 6D, in some embodiments, theproximal opening 88 may be blocked by the proximal end wall 52 of theneedle guard 78 that connects the upper arm 80 and the lower arm 82. Insome embodiments, the housing 76 may be continuous apart from one ormore of the following: the distal opening 89, the distal aperture 86,and the proximal opening 88.

Referring now to FIG. 6E, in some embodiments, the needle assembly 43may include a stabilizer element 94, which may be integrally formed withthe housing 76. In some embodiments, the stabilizer element 94 may bedisposed within the needle guard 78 and/or may include a channel throughwhich the needle 22 may extend.

Referring now to FIG. 6F, in some embodiments, the distal wall 48 and/orthe lip 56 may be configured to contact a distal end of the shelf 90. Insome embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, asillustrated in FIG. 6F, the distal wall 48 and/or the lip 56 may bedisposed distal to the distal end of the shelf 90 and above an innersurface of the shelf 90. In these and other embodiments, the distal wall48 and/or the lip 56 may contact the distal end of the shelf 90. Inthese and other embodiments, the distal tip 36 of the needle 22 may notbe coerced to contact the lip or an edge of the lip 56 in contact withthe distal end of the shelf 90, which may increase a robustness of theneedle assembly 43 in preventing needle stick injury. In someembodiments, the distal end of the shelf 90 may act as a stop to preventthe needle guard 78 from exiting the proximal opening 88 of the housing76 and/or sliding proximally with respect to the housing 76.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its structures, methods, or other essentialcharacteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. Forexample, it is understood that the housing 50 may have variousconfigurations and shapes designed to cover one or more sharp edges ofthe needle guard 33 and/or enclose the distal tip 36 and/or the notch38. The described embodiments and examples are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An intravenous catheter assembly, comprising: acatheter comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a catheter adaptercomprising an inner wall forming a lumen, wherein the proximal end ofthe catheter is coupled with the catheter adapter; a needle comprisingan elongated shaft and distal tip, wherein the needle extends throughthe catheter; a needle guard, comprising: a first distal wall; a seconddistal wall, wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal tothe first distal wall and the second distal wall, the first distal walland the second distal wall are configured to overlap one another andform a distal barrier to the needle; a proximal end wall comprising anopening, wherein the needle extends through the opening; a firstresilient arm extending between the first distal wall and the proximalend wall; and a second resilient arm extending between the second distalwall and the proximal end wall, wherein the first resilient arm and thesecond resilient arm are biased outwardly by the elongated shaft andcontact the inner wall of the catheter adapter, wherein in response toretraction of the needle proximal to the first distal wall and thesecond distal wall, the elongated shaft is configured to no longer biasthe first and second resilient arms outwardly; and a housing comprisinga first shield element, a second shield element spaced apart from andopposite the first shield element, a first snap feature, and a secondsnap feature, wherein the needle guard is disposed between the firstshield element and the second shield element, wherein the first snapfeature protrudes inwardly from an inner surface of the first shieldelement towards the second shield element and the second snap featureprotrudes inwardly from an inner surface of the second shield elementtowards the first shield element, wherein in response to retraction ofthe needle proximal to the first distal wall and the second distal wall,the first resilient arm is configured to pass the first snap feature andthe second snap feature and rest against the first snap feature and thesecond snap feature.
 22. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 21,wherein the first snap feature protrudes more inwardly from the innersurface of the first shield element than the second snap featureprotrudes inwardly from the inner surface of the second shield elementsuch that the first resilient arm is configured to tilt in response tothe first resilient arm passing the first snap feature and the secondsnap feature.
 23. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 21, whereinthe housing further comprises a third snap feature extending inwardlyfrom the inner surface of the first shield element and a fourth snapfeature extending inwardly from the inner surface of the second shieldelement, wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal to thefirst distal wall and the second distal wall, the second resilient armis configured to pass the third snap feature and the fourth snap featureand rest against the third snap feature and the fourth snap feature. 24.The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the third snapfeature protrudes more inwardly from the inner surface of the firstshield element than the fourth snap feature protrudes inwardly from theinner surface of the second shield element such that the secondresilient arm is configured to tilt in response to the second resilientarm passing the third snap feature and the fourth snap feature.
 25. Theintravenous catheter assembly of claim 23, wherein the housing comprisesan elongated tubular structure disposed between the first resilient armand the second resilient arm, wherein the needle extends through theelongated tubular structure, wherein in response to retraction of theneedle proximal to the first distal wall and the second distal wall, thefirst resilient arm is configured to pass the first snap feature and thesecond snap feature and rest against the first snap feature, the secondsnap feature, and the elongated tubular structure, wherein in responseto retraction of the needle proximal to the first distal wall and thesecond distal wall, the second resilient arm is configured to pass thethird snap feature and the fourth snap feature and rest against thethird snap feature, the fourth snap feature, and the elongated tubularstructure.
 26. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 21, whereinthe first shield element and the second shield element are spaced apartby a gap extending from an inner edge of the first shield element to aninner edge of the second shield element, wherein the first resilient armextends through the gap.
 27. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim21, wherein the first shield element and the second shield element arespaced apart by a gap extending from an inner edge of the first shieldelement to an inner edge of the second shield element, wherein the firstsnap feature protrudes inwardly from the inner edge of the first shieldelement towards the second shield element and the second snap featureprotrudes inwardly from the inner edge of the second shield elementtowards the first shield element.
 28. The intravenous catheter assemblyof claim 21, wherein the first resilient arm comprises a first curvedportion and the second resilient arm comprises a second curved portion,wherein the first resilient arm and the second resilient arm are biasedoutwardly by the elongated shaft and the first curved portion and thesecond curved portion contact the inner wall of the catheter adapter,wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal to the firstdistal wall and the second distal wall, the elongated shaft isconfigured to no longer bias the first and second resilient armsoutwardly such that the first curved portion and the second curvedportion do not contact the catheter adapter.
 29. The intravenouscatheter assembly of claim 21, wherein in response to retraction of theneedle proximal to the first distal wall and the second distal wall, thehousing and the needle guard are configured to enclose the distal tip.30. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 21, wherein the housingcomprises an elongated tubular structure disposed between the firstresilient arm and the second resilient arm, wherein the needle extendsthrough the elongated tubular structure, wherein in response toretraction of the needle proximal to the first distal wall and thesecond distal wall, the first resilient arm is configured to pass thefirst snap feature and the second snap feature and rest against thefirst snap feature, the second snap feature, and the elongated tubularstructure.
 31. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 30, wherein anouter surface of the elongated tubular structure comprises an angledportion configured to contact an angled portion first resilient arm oran angled portion of the second resilient arm to inhibit proximalmovement of the needle guard with respect to the housing.
 32. Anintravenous catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter comprising aproximal end and a distal end; a catheter adapter comprising an innerwall forming a lumen, wherein the proximal end of the catheter iscoupled with the catheter adapter; a needle comprising an elongatedshaft and distal tip, wherein the needle extends through the catheter; aneedle guard, comprising: a first distal wall; a second distal wall,wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal to the firstdistal wall and the second distal wall, the first distal wall and thesecond distal wall are configured to overlap one another and form adistal barrier to the needle; a proximal end wall comprising an opening,wherein the needle extends through the opening; a first resilient armextending between the first distal wall and the proximal end wall; and asecond resilient arm extending between the second distal wall and theproximal end wall, wherein the first resilient arm and the secondresilient arm are biased outwardly by the elongated shaft and contactthe inner wall of the catheter adapter, wherein in response toretraction of the needle proximal to the first distal wall and thesecond distal wall, the elongated shaft is configured to no longer biasthe first and second resilient arms outwardly, wherein the firstresilient arm or the second resilient arm comprises an angled portion;and a housing comprising a first shield element, a second shield elementspaced apart from and opposite the first shield element, and anelongated tubular structure disposed between the first resilient arm andthe second resilient arm, wherein the needle guard is disposed betweenthe first shield element and the second shield element, wherein theneedle extends through the elongated tubular structure, wherein an outersurface of the elongated tubular structure comprises an angled portionconfigured to contact the angled portion of first resilient arm or thesecond resilient arm to inhibit proximal movement of the needle guardwith respect to the housing.
 33. The intravenous catheter assembly ofclaim 32, wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal tothe first distal wall and the second distal wall, the first resilientarm and the second resilient arm are configured to rest against theelongated tubular structure.
 34. The intravenous catheter assembly ofclaim 32, wherein the first resilient arm comprises a first curvedportion and the second resilient arm comprises a second curved portion,wherein the first resilient arm and the second resilient arm are biasedoutwardly by the elongated shaft and the first curved portion and thesecond curved portion contact the inner wall of the catheter adapter,wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal to the firstdistal wall and the second distal wall, the elongated shaft isconfigured to no longer bias the first and second resilient armsoutwardly such that the first curved portion and the second curvedportion do not contact the catheter adapter.
 35. The intravenouscatheter assembly of claim 32, wherein in response to retraction of theneedle proximal to the first distal wall and the second distal wall, thehousing and the needle guard are configured to enclose the distal tip.36. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 32, wherein the firstshield element and the second shield element are spaced apart by a gapextending from an inner edge of the first shield element to an inneredge of the second shield element, wherein the first resilient armextends through the gap.
 37. An intravenous catheter assembly,comprising: a catheter comprising a proximal end and a distal end; acatheter adapter comprising an inner wall forming a lumen, wherein theproximal end of the catheter is coupled with the catheter adapter; aneedle comprising an elongated shaft and distal tip, wherein the needleextends through the catheter; a needle guard, comprising: a first distalwall; a second distal wall, wherein in response to retraction of theneedle proximal to the first distal wall and the second distal wall, thefirst distal wall and the second distal wall are configured to overlapone another and form a distal barrier to the needle; a proximal end wallcomprising an opening, wherein the needle extends through the opening; afirst resilient arm extending between the first distal wall and theproximal end wall; and a second resilient arm extending between thesecond distal wall and the proximal end wall, wherein the firstresilient arm and the second resilient arm are biased outwardly by theelongated shaft and contact the inner wall of the catheter adapter,wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal to the firstdistal wall and the second distal wall, the elongated shaft isconfigured to no longer bias the first and second resilient armsoutwardly, wherein the first resilient arm or the second resilient armcomprises an angled portion; and a housing disposed within the lumen,wherein the first distal wall and the second distal wall extend into thehousing.
 38. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 37, wherein thefirst resilient arm comprises a first curved portion and the secondresilient arm comprises a second curved portion, wherein the firstresilient arm and the second resilient arm are biased outwardly by theelongated shaft and the first curved portion and the second curvedportion contact the inner wall of the catheter adapter, wherein inresponse to retraction of the needle proximal to the first distal walland the second distal wall, the elongated shaft is configured to nolonger bias the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that thefirst curved portion and the second curved portion do not contact thecatheter adapter.
 39. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 38,wherein in response to retraction of the needle proximal to the firstdistal wall and the second distal wall, the housing and the needle guardare configured to enclose the distal tip.
 40. The intravenous catheterassembly of claim 37, wherein the first shield element and the secondshield element are spaced apart by a gap extending from an inner edge ofthe first shield element to an inner edge of the second shield element,wherein the first resilient arm extends through the gap.